Senior Chinese official meets French parliament speaker

ANNECY, France, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo on Saturday exchanged views on Sino-French ties with French National Assembly Speaker Bernard Accoyer.

During talks held in France's southeast city of Annecy, Dai conveyed greeting of China's top legislator Wu Bangguo to Accoyer, and applauded his efforts in boosting parliamentary exchanges and the sound development of bilateral relations.

Noting the deep traditional friendship between peoples of the two countries, Dai said people-to-people exchanges have irreplaceable position in promoting bilateral ties.

While the international situation is changing profoundly and in a complicated way, all people no matter living in which part of the globe have to face common challenges, Dai said.

"We are in the same boat and have to weather difficulties with joint efforts," he added

Dai suggested the two sides continue to follow the path of friendship and cooperation paved by old generation leaders of both countries and make Sino-French relation a model of cooperation between different socilal systems, values and cultures.

Accoyer sent back his best wishes to Wu and commented that relations between France and China have improved significantly since the establishment of diplomatic ties 45 years ago.

According to Accoyer, French people will remain as Chinese people's genuine friends under any circumstances, and French National Assembly will continue to play a positive role in enhancing people-to-people exchanges and the development of ties between the two sides

Dai started his two-state visit in Europe on Thursday in Paris. He has talked with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the president's diplomatic adviser Jean-David Levitte and the coordinator for G20 affairs Xavier Musca on Friday.

Wrapping up bilateral consultations in France, Dai will travel to London, where he is expected to attend China-UK strategic dialogue.